NEW YORK — An urban pond, previously a habitat for goldfish swimming under a leaking New York City fire hydrant, has found a new life as a makeshift aquarium. This transformation occurred shortly after the city covered the original pond with pavement due to safety issues.
Resourceful residents of Brooklyn have creatively constructed a new pond using waterproof liners, bath tiles, concrete blocks, and gravel in a tree bed adjacent to the recently repaired hydrant.
On a Friday afternoon, around 40 goldfish were seen swimming energetically in their new environment, which was built just days before and features vibrant artificial plants, decorative stones, and various other aquarium embellishments.
Among the visitors admiring the new creation was Pedro Zambrana, a 29-year-old tourist from Barcelona. He expressed his excitement, saying, “This is so cool,” while noting that visiting this unique spot in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood was one of his top priorities during his week-long trip to the city.
Devang Shah, a local resident involved in the upkeep of the pond, mentioned plans for enhancement. Volunteers are looking to implement a solar-powered filtration system to replace the current battery-operated one. They also aim to install a heating system as winter approaches and have dreams of launching a live stream to share the aquarium experience with admirers around the world.
Known as the Bed-Stuy Aquarium, the site can be found on Google Maps and boasts its own accounts on Instagram and TikTok, managed by Shah and other community members.
However, Shah reflected on the difficulties presented by this new setup compared to the previous one under the leaky hydrant, which provided a continuous source of fresh water, eliminating the need for a filtration system. “They seemed happier over there,” he remarked, pointing to the hydrant now surrounded by a sleek concrete slab.
As onlookers observed, Shah dispersed fish food, cleared fallen leaves, and monitored water quality. He noted that this aquarium represents the fourth version of their community pond. Initially, it emerged when the hydrant’s leaks created a shallow pool in the broken concrete, prompting residents to introduce store-bought goldfish into the area.
During the summer, concerned individuals attempted to “rescue” the fish, but determined locals restocked the pond and monitored it closely. The installation has since been enhanced with painted benches, chairs, and artistic decorations.
Adding to its charm, a sign resembling an official plaque from the New York City Parks Department now hangs on a tree, proudly declaring, “BEDSTUY AQUARIUM.”
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